News
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Pak role ‘vital’ in Afghan peace: UK* Gilani, Clegg call for Afghan solution with combined support of US, UK, Pakistan
LONDON: The United Kingdom, on Tuesday, termed Pakistan’s role as “most important” in ensuring peace in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the US and NATO forces.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Lancaster House, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg called for a solution for peace in Afghanistan, generated from within, with the combined support of the United States, United Kingdom and Pakistan.
The two leaders agreed that Afghanistan had the capacity to deal with the situation at its own, but insisted that support from the US, UK and Pakistan was important for its future.
Gilani said Pakistan and Afghanistan had realised that both the countries suffered a lot in the fight against terrorism. “If it has to be a solution (for Afghanistan), then any process that leads to peace in this country would be supported by Pakistan,” he said, asserting that a stable Afghanistan, with non-interference in its internal affairs, was important for regional and global peace.
He added that the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan had affected Pakistan in several adverse ways. The international community was well aware of the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan during the over last three decades, he said.
He said Pakistan favoured engaging with the Afghan leadership and committed to process that was Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
Gilani termed the talks with the British deputy prime minister as “very good” which, he said, provided an opportunity to review the state of Pak-UK relations.
He reiterated the mutual resolve to take concrete steps to diversify and deepen bilateral relations in accordance with the enhanced strategic dialogue which was launched during Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to Pakistan in April this year. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk